Wings 11/21

In India, water is a women’s issue and a woman’s burden, but only concerted community action can ensure water for survival as groundwater and lakes dry up. WINGS contributing producer Kalpana Pradhan recorded two highly successful water activists, one rural and one urban. Their projects are large and replicable.
Amla Ruia (AHM-lah ROO-yah), founder of Askar Charitable Trust, supports traditional catchment and groundwater restoration in rural areas. She funds 70% of large versions of dams that slow the movement of water and enable groundwater to recharge, and teaches the local people to maintain the structures and take care of the wealth it generates. Architect Kalpana Ramesh works to educate the residents of Hyderabad and spur them to implement water catchment and lakes restoration, and reduce and ultimately cease their reliance on importation of water via rail cars. She especially teaches children to take responsibility for their water future. Also heard, village women fetching water in Rajasthan, and Hyderabad slum resident Amina Bibi.  

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